North Sea safety inspectors win 20pc pay rise

A pay rise of 20pc for safety inspectors of North Sea oil and gas
installations has been approved by Iain Duncan Smith, the Welfare and
Pensions Secretary, to stem an exodus and raise morale.

The increase breaks the three-year freeze on public- sector pay – but the rise will have no impact on the department's budget or the taxpayer because North Sea operators will pick up the bill.Photo: ALAMY